A Jacobean Gem

Area C (central stem of right leaf): stem stitch

Using shades 692, 693, 694 and 695, start with shade 695. Bring the needle up at the lower edge of the leaf stem where it joins the main stem. Following the design line, work a line of stem stitch. Finish off the thread in the area where it will be covered by stitching. With the same shade, work another line of stem stitch next to the first. To avoid a hard line where you change shades, finish one shade halfway along a row and start a new shade where the previous shade ended. Two and a half rows will be worked in shade 695, two and a half in 694, and so on until the small leaf stem is reached.

The stem stitch for the small leaf stem (leaf E) is continued from the central leaf stem in shade 692. Grade the colours as in the main stem, staggering the finishing point of each row to create a natural tapered stem.

Area D (leaves at bottom of main stem): chain stitch (areas 1-6)

These areas are worked in shades 202, 203, 204, 205 and 206, starting with area 1.

1. With 206, work the left side of the leaf down to the bottom. Bring the thread up at the tip of the leaf and work down the right side of the leaf in the same way. Work another row with 206 and then, with 205, fill in the centre of the leaf in the same way. Work leaves 2-6 in the same way, changing shade where indicated.
2. Fill with chain stitch in 204 and 203.
3. Fill with chain stitch in 206 and 204.
4. Fill with chain stitch in 206 and 205.
5. Fill with chain stitch in 203 and 202.
6. Fill with chain stitch in 202.

• General instructions
• Area A (main stem) and Area B (right leaf)
• Area C (central stem of right leaf) and Area D (leaves at bottom of main stem)
• Area E (small leaf) and Areas F, G, H, I and J (small leaves on main stem)
• Area K (central stem of left leaf) and Area L (left leaf)
• Area M (tendrils at top right) and Area N (butterflies)